What’s on your mind, dear readers, about books and publishing as of today? What’s it all look like from your vantage point? What do you see ahead?
16 thoughts on “Reader Friday: Open Forum on Books and Publishing”
Mayhem. Confusion. Disenchantment.
And that’s me being optimistic.
Now that’s funny, Amanda. But perhaps one person’s “mayhem and confusion” is another person’s opportunity….
Most certainly, James. Some thrive on mayhem. Lucifer comes to mind. Me, not so much.
It’s simply a matter of cutting through the BS that surrounds us, and focusing on those that makes sense. At the risk of sounding obsequious, I am very glad I found The Kill Zone. And Mary Rosenblum.
I see a lot of hard work. As everyone at the Kill Zone has said, it starts with a great book. I read J K Rowling’s new book last week and understood immediately why it hadn’t sold more than a few hundred copies in the months it had been out. Solid, workman-like, but the same tired hard-boiled PI tropes with no new twist. She had the support of a professional editor, the advice of her agent and publisher, decent reviews, and the book still didn’t light a fire under readers until her true identity became known.
The bar for new writers is darn high. For indie authors who don’t have huge support systems, it’s a lonely uphill slog all the way, but there’s nothing that beats hearing someone say they liked your book.
Kathy
I agree KS. The bar IS ever higher, especially since editors want “camera-ready” books. And if you self-pub, the market is really saturated. The Big Five publishers seem more squirrely than ever, less inclined to take chances on new authors or less patient for mid-listers to develop audiences. That said, maybe this opens the market up in smaller publishers? I don’t know. I can hope!
I agree, Kris. Smaller publishers are finding legs in this marketplace. Also self-publishing can be another way to showcase what you can do–another way to get noticed. The greatest challenge for anyone, even large publishers, is to find an effective way to market in this new digital environment. Lots of websites are cropping up that showcase indie ebooks to get the word out. I would say it starts with a good book, but then there is the 50 Shades phenom. Fortunately a good book and word of mouth still work for most readers. My point is that the changes we’re seeing can be intimidating, but I see more opportunity and choices for authors, not less.
I think it’s a time of opportunity for writers who work hard. There are more ways than ever before to get out there if you’re willing to develop your craft and be patient as you market your book.
Patience. That’s the big one.
The only thing that will never change: you still have to write the best book you can.
True that, Joe.
And I think the other comments are spot on that the bar in this regard is higher than ever. So I guess I have to just keep challenging myself:)
Even with all the mayhem, chaos and confusion, readers still want to read a great book, and writers still need to write them.
Joseph, that is and always will be the bottom line. Thanks for stating it so clearly.
I see fields of green, red roses, too. My book’s almost finished, and I’ll be sendin’ it to youuu.
This is probably the biggest and best opportunity for self-publishing ever. Peddle to the metal.
Who has time to look ahead…I’m busy typing.
I went with a small publisher offering an e-book only contract with very fair terms. Rising above the noise of the crowd and the weighty promotion of the big houses is daunting, but with a good book, patients and careful, personable self promotion, there’s more opportunity than ever before. Speaking of self promotion- Little Man – Midwestern Mystery / Suspense – with a Refreshing Human Twist! http://goo.gl/LeZYtx
Mayhem. Confusion. Disenchantment.
And that’s me being optimistic.
Now that’s funny, Amanda. But perhaps one person’s “mayhem and confusion” is another person’s opportunity….
Most certainly, James. Some thrive on mayhem. Lucifer comes to mind. Me, not so much.
It’s simply a matter of cutting through the BS that surrounds us, and focusing on those that makes sense. At the risk of sounding obsequious, I am very glad I found The Kill Zone. And Mary Rosenblum.
I see a lot of hard work. As everyone at the Kill Zone has said, it starts with a great book. I read J K Rowling’s new book last week and understood immediately why it hadn’t sold more than a few hundred copies in the months it had been out. Solid, workman-like, but the same tired hard-boiled PI tropes with no new twist. She had the support of a professional editor, the advice of her agent and publisher, decent reviews, and the book still didn’t light a fire under readers until her true identity became known.
The bar for new writers is darn high. For indie authors who don’t have huge support systems, it’s a lonely uphill slog all the way, but there’s nothing that beats hearing someone say they liked your book.
Kathy
I agree KS. The bar IS ever higher, especially since editors want “camera-ready” books. And if you self-pub, the market is really saturated. The Big Five publishers seem more squirrely than ever, less inclined to take chances on new authors or less patient for mid-listers to develop audiences. That said, maybe this opens the market up in smaller publishers? I don’t know. I can hope!
I agree, Kris. Smaller publishers are finding legs in this marketplace. Also self-publishing can be another way to showcase what you can do–another way to get noticed. The greatest challenge for anyone, even large publishers, is to find an effective way to market in this new digital environment. Lots of websites are cropping up that showcase indie ebooks to get the word out. I would say it starts with a good book, but then there is the 50 Shades phenom. Fortunately a good book and word of mouth still work for most readers. My point is that the changes we’re seeing can be intimidating, but I see more opportunity and choices for authors, not less.
I think it’s a time of opportunity for writers who work hard. There are more ways than ever before to get out there if you’re willing to develop your craft and be patient as you market your book.
Patience. That’s the big one.
The only thing that will never change: you still have to write the best book you can.
True that, Joe.
And I think the other comments are spot on that the bar in this regard is higher than ever. So I guess I have to just keep challenging myself:)
Even with all the mayhem, chaos and confusion, readers still want to read a great book, and writers still need to write them.
Joseph, that is and always will be the bottom line. Thanks for stating it so clearly.
I see fields of green, red roses, too. My book’s almost finished, and I’ll be sendin’ it to youuu.
This is probably the biggest and best opportunity for self-publishing ever. Peddle to the metal.
Who has time to look ahead…I’m busy typing.
I went with a small publisher offering an e-book only contract with very fair terms. Rising above the noise of the crowd and the weighty promotion of the big houses is daunting, but with a good book, patients and careful, personable self promotion, there’s more opportunity than ever before.
Speaking of self promotion- Little Man – Midwestern Mystery / Suspense – with a Refreshing Human Twist! http://goo.gl/LeZYtx